iOS 17 makes iPhone even more personal and intuitive with major updates to communication apps; StandBy, a new way to experience iPhone when it is charging; easier sharing with AirDrop; and more intelligent input that improves the speed and accuracy of typing. iOS 17 is available today as a free software update.
Incoming Calls Get a Major Upgrade
The Phone app is essential to the iPhone experience, and it receives a big update that makes the calls that matter stand out even more. Personalized Contact Posters provide a new way for users to express themselves by customizing how they appear when they call known contacts, including in third-party calling apps. Contact Posters can be personalized with beautiful treatments for photos, Memoji, and eye-catching typography and font colors.
Live Voicemail provides a real-time transcription as someone leaves a voicemail, and gives users the opportunity to pick up while the caller is leaving their message. With the power of the Neural Engine, Live Voicemail transcription is handled on-device and remains private. With Silence Unknown Callers enabled, unknown numbers are transferred directly to Live Voicemail, and calls identified as spam by carriers are instantly declined.
New Ways to Enjoy FaceTime
Users are now able to leave a video or audio message on FaceTime to capture exactly what they want to say when someone they call is not available. FaceTime calls get more expressive with Reactions such as hearts, balloons, fireworks, and laser beams that can be activated by simple gestures, and are also available with supported third-party video conferencing apps, such as Zoom and Webex by Cisco.
